In the wake of their 107-106 win over the host New Jersey Nets, there was relief and a sense of redemption among the Raptors, who escaped the Izod Center with the narrowest of margins when Devin Harris' attempt came up short on the game's final play.

It has been a season of missed assignments, missed shots and missed opportunities, but now there's a feeling that perhaps the ball is going Toronto's way.

The team now has won three in a row heading into tomorrow's home game against a vulnerable Milwaukee Bucks team reeling with the season-ending injury to star player Michael Redd.

"We've had our share of heartache this season. We've got time to turn this around."

Graham provided much-needed energy off the bench last night, which began with the Raptors going through the motions and allowing the Nets far too many open looks at the basket.

Graham didn't shut down Vince Carter, but his aggressive style did contain Carter.

On the game's final possession, Graham was matched up against Harris, who used his dribble to clear space before heaving a step-back jumper that hit front iron.

"I just didn't want to foul him," Graham said. "I didn't want to put him on the line.

"I just tried to contest the shot. He made a move, shot it and missed."

Graham is playing some of his best basketball at both ends.

Interim head coach Jay Triano has shortened his bench to basically an eight-player rotation and went small last night after watching the Nets torch his squad off screens and rolls.

Triano is trying to manage Jose Calderon's minutes after the incumbent point guard returned from a hamstring injury.

Triano also is trying to ensure that he does not overuse Anthony Parker, his starting shooting guard who fills in at the point during stretches.

With Andrea Bargnani and Jermaine O'Neal getting into foul trouble, the Raptors had to go small, but the rotation worked.

"We've had our stretch our losses," Graham said, referring to several extended periods, but in particular one onerous seven-game losing streak that ended last Friday in Chicago.

"This is a confidence booster. We needed this (winning) stretch to get us back in the playoff run.

"Now we've got a chance of making it four in a row."

The win means the Raptors have tied the Nets in their four-game season series.

The East is shaping up as a dog fight for the top three seeds among Cleveland, Boston and Orlando.

Atlanta and Miami have sustained their level, but neither is considered dominant.

Detroit appears to be on its way down, leaving several teams, including Toronto, battling for playoff spots.

"The momentum is there," Bosh said. "You can feel it when you see guys playing well.

"You feel you can win any game. You definitely feel when momentum isn't there. We have some tough games coming up."

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REPLAY

ALLEY OOPS

Jose Calderon committed his first turnover in three games when his attempted alley-oop pass to Jamario Moon landed in the lap of a Nets fan in the first quarter. It was the first of two miscues for Calderon in the period.

VINCE STRIKES BACK

Vince Carter missed his first shot and then proceeded to drain four consecutive three-pointers en route to scoring a game-high 27 points. Carter posted his sixth double-double of the season. Since his trade from Toronto, Carter has averaged 23.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 18 games. During that stretch the teams are dead even at 9-9.

NUMBERS GAME

In three successive wins, the Raptors have shot better than 50% in each victory. Against the Nets, the Raptors shot 60% after the opening half, but trailed 54-50 ... Joey Graham and Jason Kapono combined for 25 points off the bench.